“And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire'” (Hebrews 1:7).
The passage from Hebrews 1:7 is one among dozens of Old Testament quotations contained within the Biblical book of Hebrews. A closer look at this reference in the context of Hebrews chapter one reveals some important truths regarding Jesus and the members of the angelic realm…
“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire” (Psalm 104:1-4).
So, the subject of this passage is God, who makes (or “fashions”) spiritual messengers and ministers of these angelic beings. This offers a stark contrast to the Son, who is seated “at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels” (Hebrews 1:3-4). The following commentary offers further insight into the relationship between these Old and New Testament passages…
“Hebrews 1:7 quotes Psalm 104:4, which the NIV translates, ‘He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.’ The idea conveyed is that God uses all things in creation as his agents, including light, clouds, wind, fire, and water. The author of Hebrews uncovers a hidden dimension in Psalm 104 by reversing the word order to read: ‘He makes his angel-messengers into winds, his servants into flames of fire’…Wind and fire are servants of the throne.” (1)
Another Biblical scholar ties these ideas together for the benefit of modern-day readers…
“The word ‘servants’ is the translation of leitourgos, the word used of the sacred and religious ministry of the Old Testament priests. Since Messiah is the Creator and Master of angels, He is superior to them, which fact makes the New Testament better than the First which it displaces.” (2)
Nevertheless, the following verse will present us with a greater declaration concerning the Son, one that comes from God Himself. Two portions of Scripture will help prepare us for our look at that passage…
“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:8).
“…These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life” (Revelation 2:8).
(1) R. C. Sproul, Before the Face of God Book 4 A Daily Guide for Living from Ephesians, Hebrews, and James [pg. 31] © 1994 by R. C. Sproul, Published by Baker Books a division of Baker Book House Company P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, Michigan
(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [note on Hebrews 1:7] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.